CEO of the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), Paul King, has warned that the Green Deal could struggle if it doesn't get the right support.
Speaking with Greg Barker at the Conservative Party Conference this week, Mr King announced the launch of a new project which will draw a group of experts together from across industry to advise the Government on incentivising take up of the Green Deal.

The 'task group' will include a number of UK-GBC members, along with other key stakeholders, and will assess a range of financial incentives for householders, including variable rates of council tax and stamp duty. A key issue will be looking at how costs to the treasury could be minimised or removed.

UK-GBC says that with the mass retrofitting of the UK's homes playing a critical role in helping to achieve carbon targets and reducing energy demand, the project will provide 'a robust steer' to the Government on how to ensure the Green Deal and related policies are successful. A final report will examine the pros and cons associated with a range of policy incentives, so that Ministers can make informed decisions.

Paul King said: 'The Green Deal still has the potential to be truly revolutionary in driving mass home retrofit. This new market could, if nurtured properly, create jobs, stimulate economic growth and protect consumers from ever-rising energy prices. But without firm plans in place to drive uptake, the scheme could fail before it has even properly started.'

'Everyone says we need to incentivise the Green Deal, but there is actually very little out there in terms of robust advice on how Government would begin to implement some of these ideas - particularly in a way that minimises costs to Treasury. This work is intended to do just that.'

The group is due to deliver its findings in early 2013.

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